Can anybody guess what this little tiny Toshiba Player is? Kind of looks like the KT-VS10 to me! https://patents.google.com/patent/EP0105746A2/en?oq=EP0105746A2
This one looks familar, it might be a repost, the Panasonic JAZZ https://patents.google.com/patent/US4580181A/en?oq=EP0105746A2
This is an early entry from Victor (JVC) from 1979, I'm not sure what it was for, they didn't do very many personal players. https://patents.google.com/patent/US4327389A/
Sony Disc Player and Loading Device from 1990. It looks like it has an information screen for the CD. https://patents.google.com/patent/US4327389A/
I don't think Olympus ever put out a "kangaroo boombox" but they did have a patent for one from 1980 or at least a unit with a docking station. This does mention stereo recordings so who knows? https://patents.google.com/patent/US4472751A/
It looks like Sanyo had a hybrid Cassette/CD player in the works, I don't think they ever made it. https://patents.google.com/patent/US5054015A/
From Mitsubishi, this is called a small portable cassette tape player, maybe somebody can figure out how it works. https://patents.google.com/patent/EP0154313A2/
Mode changing mechanism for cassette tape player from Sony 1980 https://patents.google.com/patent/US4542431A/
A similar concept to that kickstarter clip on player that was never going to work. On this one I see a capstan (70) and a reel hub (74). It isn't obvious how the hub would be driven though. in summary it is one of those £10 Play and FastForward Only personal stereos shrunk down to a clip on device.
DCC And MD: Techno-Toys? Audio Magazine from December 1992. DCC in the US seemed mired in litigation, Sony bought a movie and music studio to get a seat "with the other side" which seemed to help get MD to market easier. Both of these formats were very expensive and CD players were just starting to drop in price.
According to Techmoan Minidisc was still stiffled in the USA. It was actually quite popular here in the UK with him being a big fan
Battery life was so important, either batteries were expensive or you just wanted some to last a few days on your trip. From 1996 Playboy Magazine, the Sony FX511 goes 15 hours with ONE Battery!!! Amazing!
And that was the initial problem with portable CDs, and Minidisc. In his Minidisc retrospective Techmoan pointed out that the battery life of the first, expensive and heavy, Sony MZ1 portable Minidisc, which that Aiwa appears to be an AKA of, was only just long enough to play one 74 minute Minidisc.
